DMV to New York R&B Star $RainaRich$

Originally from the DMV (Washington D.C. Metropolitan area), RainaRich recently relocated to New York City to pursue her career in music. She got her start in singing as a kid by touring the world with her mother – soul singing diva and go-go legend, Maiesha Rashad (Maiesha and the Hip Huggers). In 2015, she released her debut project, The Boxto a positive reception, landing features on The Boombox, You Know I Got Soul, and Soul You Know amongst others. Mixed by Grammy Award Winning Engineer, Buck 3000 (Murder Inc.), the experimental five video series pays homage to 90’s R&B hits, and the legendary The Box Music Video Network. RainaRich is currently gearing up for the release of her forthcoming EP, Cinderella 99 (Fall 16) with Grammy Award-winning producers Sid “Omen” Brown (Beyoncé, Drake, Lil Wayne) and Chink Santana (Ashanti, Keyshia Cole, Toni Braxton). Her debut video from the EP, “Stars in Space” ft. Tray Pizzy recently premiered on HipHopDX in July. RainaRich can also be seen as the face of jewelry brand Aether79. I had the opportunity to interview her.

P.S. Stay tuned for RainaRich’s second single and music video from Cinderella 99 premiering at the end of October.

We discussed the following:Q:What do you enjoy most about making music?

That moment when all the pieces of the puzzle come together perfectly. The creative phase is definitely dope, trying different ideas on a track and stuff, but when it all comes together into a finished song, it legit feels like magic.

Q:How do you plan on using your music to send a positive message to your peers and people who may look up to you?

The best I can do is tell my story, sing from the heart, and hope people can relate to where I’m at. The topic might not always be “positive”, but if my story strikes emotion within a person who is going through something similar, then I’ve done my part. That’s the beauty of music to me, it’s the soundtrack to our lives…The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Q:If you could collaborate with any musician who would it be?

That is a tough one. I’m a music lover! I would at least have to separate new school and old school though.

New school: Right now I would love to collaborate with Future. The way he puts it down out on these songs is so right.

Old school: Even though I’m not a reggae artist, I have to say Bob Marley. Hands down. His music is timeless, and every song he did had a certain feeling to it.

Q:What inspires your music?

I’m inspired by life experiences. It could be a sad thing like a breakup, or a fun thing like getting drunk in the club, it’s all about the feeling that I get in that moment.

Q:What advice would you give someone else who wishes you pursue a career in music.

My style is different because there is only one me. We are all different. The way we present our creativity starts with what is inside of our minds as individuals.

Q:What is your biggest pet peeve when it comes to creating your sound?

Trying to force creativity. It’s never the wave. So if you are trying hard to create a sound, you might end up frustrated. I’ve definitely been there. I’m sure that’s why some of the best artists take years to finish albums